U.S. patent application number 12/894471 was filed with the patent office on 2011-01-20 for multi directional oscillation from a rotational source.
Invention is credited to Michael Rogler Kildevaeld.
Application Number | 20110011605 12/894471 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43464473 |
Filed Date | 2011-01-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110011605 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kildevaeld; Michael Rogler |
January 20, 2011 |
MULTI DIRECTIONAL OSCILLATION FROM A ROTATIONAL SOURCE
Abstract
The present invention provides multi-directional oscillation
from a rotational source, by receiving a rotational motion,
converting the rotational motion to a first oscillating motion,
converting the first oscillating motion to a second oscillating
motion that is normal to the first oscillating motion and
transferring the first oscillating motion and the second
oscillating motion to a working element.
Inventors: |
Kildevaeld; Michael Rogler;
(Yarmouthport, MA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GTC Law Group LLP & Affiliates
P.O. Box 113237
Pittsburgh
PA
15241
US
|
Family ID: |
43464473 |
Appl. No.: |
12/894471 |
Filed: |
September 30, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12884104 |
Sep 16, 2010 |
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12894471 |
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12431444 |
Apr 28, 2009 |
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12884104 |
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61247523 |
Sep 30, 2009 |
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61246112 |
Sep 26, 2009 |
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61243146 |
Sep 16, 2009 |
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61048417 |
Apr 28, 2008 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
173/1 ;
173/47 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B27B 19/006 20130101;
B25F 5/00 20130101; B23D 51/16 20130101; B23D 51/10 20130101; B25F
3/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
173/1 ;
173/47 |
International
Class: |
B25F 3/00 20060101
B25F003/00 |
Claims
1. A method of multi-directional oscillation from a rotational
source, comprising: receiving a rotational motion from a rotary
tool element; converting the rotational motion to a first
oscillating motion; converting the first oscillating motion to a
second oscillating motion along a different axis of oscillation
from that of the first oscillating motion; and facilitating
application of at least one of the first oscillating motion and the
second oscillating motion to a working element.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the rotary tool element is rotary
shaft of a rotary motor.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the rotary tool element is a
drive shaft of rotary tool.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the rotary tool element is a
remote handle that is connected to a rotational source through a
flexible shaft.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the rotational source is one of a
rotary shaft of a rotary motor and a drive shaft of a rotary
tool.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein converting the first oscillating
motion to the second oscillating motion is accomplished by moving a
working element coupling along a longitudinal axis of a shaft, the
shaft transferring the first oscillating motion about its
longitudinal axis to the working element coupling, the working
element coupling being moved by an interaction of a first ramp of
the working element coupling and a second ramp, the second ramp
disposed to interact with the first ramp first oscillating motion
to cause the second oscillating motion.
7. A rotary to multi-oscillating system, comprising: a first
oscillating motion system for producing a first oscillating motion
from a rotational source, comprising: an off-centric ball bearing
receiving a rotational motion from the rotational source; a cam
interacting with the off-centric ball bearing to cause a shaft to
oscillate about its longitudinal axis; and a second oscillating
motion system for producing a second oscillating motion from the
first oscillating motion of the shaft, comprising: a linear bearing
with a first ramp, the linear bearing receiving the first
oscillating motion from the shaft and disposed to move along the
shaft; and a multi-oscillation generating ramp disposed relative to
the first ramp so that the first oscillating motion of the linear
bearing cause the first ramp to interact with the multi-oscillating
ramp resulting in the linear bearing moving along the shaft in a
second oscillating motion.
8. The system of claim 7, further including a spring disposed
within the linear bearing to facilitate the linear bearing stably
moving along the shaft in the second oscillating motion.
9. The system of claim 7, further including an actuator for
disposing the multi-oscillating ramp in a first position that
prevents interaction with the first ramp thereby disabling the
second oscillating motion.
10. The system of claim 7, further including a working element
attached to the linear bearing for receiving the first oscillating
motion and the second oscillating motion.
11. The method of claim 7, wherein the rotational source is a
rotary shaft of a rotary motor.
12. The method of claim 7, wherein the rotational source is a drive
shaft of rotary tool.
13. The method of claim 7, wherein the rotational source is a
remote handle for facilitating remote application of a rotational
motion provided to the remote handle through a flexible rotatable
shaft.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the flexible rotatable shaft
receives rotational motion from one of a rotary shaft of a rotary
motor and a drive shaft of a rotary tool.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of the following
provisional applications, each of which is hereby incorporated by
reference in its entirety:
[0002] U.S. Ser. No. 61/247,523 filed Sep. 30, 2009.
[0003] This application is a continuation-in-part of the following
U.S. patent applications, each of which is incorporated by
reference in its entirety:
[0004] Ser. No. 12/884,104 filed Sep. 16, 2010, which claims the
benefit of the following U.S. provisional patent applications each
of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety U.S. Ser. No.
61/246,112 filed Sep. 26, 2009, and U.S. Ser. No. 61/243,146 filed
Sep. 16, 2009; and
[0005] Ser. No. 12/431,444 filed Apr. 28, 2009 which claims the
benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/048,417 filed
on Apr. 28, 2008 which is incorporated by reference in its
entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0006] 1. Field
[0007] The present invention, in general, relates to a mechanical
tool for performing machining operations and more specifically to a
multi-directional oscillating tool for machining of materials.
[0008] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0009] Power tools such as rotary motor-based tools and compressed
air-based tools are used for several machining tasks such as
cutting, boring, sanding, carving, drilling, grinding, and the
like. Typically, attachments are utilized and fitted on the power
tools to facilitate the machining operations of various types.
Several types of attachments, including oscillating attachments,
are available that may perform machining of the materials by
generating an oscillating motion of desired amplitude and
frequency.
[0010] The existing designs of oscillating attachment-based power
tools or simply oscillating tools generate unidirectional
movements. Further, the existing designs do not allow sufficient
room for the machined material and debris to be removed easily from
the portion being machined. This results in a reduction in
machining speed of the tools. In certain cases, the tools cease
operating and get blocked due to over accumulation of the
debris.
[0011] Therefore, there is a need for providing multi-directional
oscillating tool capabilities with enhanced efficiency that may
address the above drawbacks.
SUMMARY
[0012] In an aspect of the present invention, a method of
multi-directional oscillation from a rotational source may be
provided. In accordance with the method, a rotational motion may be
received from a rotary tool element that may be a rotary motor via
a rotary shaft, a drive shaft of a rotary tool, or a remote handle
that is connected to a rotational source through a flexible shaft.
The rotational motion may be converted to a first oscillating
motion. Further, the first oscillating motion may be converted to a
second oscillating motion that may be along a different axis of
oscillation from the first oscillating motion. The conversion of
the first oscillating motion to the second oscillating motion may
be accomplished by moving a working element coupling along a
longitudinal axis of a shaft that may transfer the first
oscillating motion about its longitudinal axis to the working
element coupling. The working element coupling may be moved by an
interaction of a first ramp of the working element coupling and a
second ramp. The second ramp may be disposed to interact with the
first ramp first oscillating motion to cause the second oscillating
motion. The method may further facilitate application of at least
one of the first oscillating motion and the second oscillating
motion to a working element.
[0013] In another aspect of the invention, a rotary to
multi-oscillating system may be provided. The rotary to
multi-oscillating system may include a first oscillating motion
system for producing the first oscillating motion from the
rotational source. The first oscillating motion system may include
an off-centric ball bearing that may receive the rotational motion
from the rotational source and a cam that may interact with the
off-centric ball bearing to cause the shaft to oscillate about its
longitudinal axis. The rotary to multi-oscillating system may also
include a second oscillating motion system for producing the second
oscillating motion from the first oscillating motion of the shaft.
The second oscillating motion system may include a linear bearing
with the first ramp. The linear bearing may receive the first
oscillating motion from the shaft and may be disposed to move along
the shaft. The second oscillating motion system may also include a
multi-oscillation generating ramp (second ramp) disposed relative
to the first ramp such that the first oscillating motion of the
linear bearing may cause the first ramp to interact with the
multi-oscillating ramp resulting in the linear bearing to move
along the shaft in the second oscillating motion. The rotary to
multi-oscillating system may further include a spring disposed
within the linear bearing to facilitate it to stably move along the
shaft in the second oscillating motion. Furthermore, the rotary to
multi-oscillating system may include an actuator for disposing the
multi-oscillating ramp in a first position that may prevent
interaction with the first ramp thereby disabling the second
oscillating motion. In addition, the working element may be
attached to the linear bearing for receiving the first oscillating
motion and the second oscillating motion. The rotational source may
be one of a rotary shaft of a rotary motor or a drive shaft of a
rotary tool. The rotational source may alternatively be a remote
handle for facilitating remote application of a rotational motion
provided to the remote handle through a flexible rotatable shaft
that may receive rotational motion from one of a rotary shaft of a
rotary motor and a drive shaft of a rotary tool.
[0014] A modular and handy tool that may provide both rotary and
oscillating motions may also be economical to use. Such a tool may
also be useful in any environmental condition. Furthermore, the
tool may be easily converted to address a diverse range of tasks
and shared by a number of workmen just by changing the attachments
(e.g., conversion from a sanding machine to a drilling machine by
removing an attachment), thereby mitigating the requirement of
several separate tools for completing various machining
operations.
[0015] Various embodiments of the present invention disclose a
modular design of a tool that may provide both rotary and
oscillatory motion.
[0016] In embodiments, an attachment for a rotary tool, such as a
rotary drill, is provided. The attachment may be configured to
convert a rotary tool into an oscillating tool.
[0017] The attachment may be configured to a plurality of rotary
tools, cordless or plug-in, that allows rotary tools (such as a
1/8'' or other sized tools) to become either oscillating or
vibrating tools.
[0018] In embodiments, various additional elements may be added to
the attachment facility, such that in operation the rotation of the
shaft of the rotary tool creates side-to-side, oscillating movement
at high speed. The oscillating attachment may be configured with
additional attachment elements to allow various oscillating actions
on a work piece, such as sawing, sanding, or the like, with great
precision.
[0019] In an aspect of the invention, methods and systems for
converting a rotational tool to an oscillating tool include a
removable attachment for a rotary power tool that attaches to the
rotating drive shaft of the rotary power tool and converts the
rotating motion of the drive shaft to an oscillating motion and
wherein the removable attachment is configured to hold an
oscillating working element. In the aspect, the oscillating working
element is selected from the group consisting of a cutting element
and a sanding element. In the aspect, the methods and systems may
further be configured with a universal threaded aftermarket device
mounting screw.
[0020] These and other systems, methods, objects, features, and
advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those
skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the
preferred embodiment and the drawings. All documents mentioned
herein are hereby incorporated in their entirety by reference.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] FIG. 1 depicts a rotary-oscillating tool, in accordance with
various embodiments of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B, FIG. 2C, and FIG. 2D depict different
structural components associated with an attachment facility, in
accordance with various embodiments of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 3A, FIG. 3B, and FIG. 3C depict different views of the
rotary-oscillating tool, in accordance with various embodiments of
the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 4 depicts different prospective views of the
rotary-oscillating tool, in accordance with various embodiments of
the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 5A, FIG. 5B, FIG. 5C, and FIG. 5D depict different
views pertaining to blade mounts, in accordance with various
embodiments of the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 6A, FIG. 6B, FIG. 6C, and FIG. 6D depict different
views pertaining to saw blades, in accordance with various
embodiments of the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 8A, FIG. 8B, FIG. 8C, FIG. 8D, and FIG. 8E depict
different views pertaining to an aluminum casing, in accordance
with various embodiments of the present invention;
[0028] FIG. 9A, FIG. 9B, FIG. 9C, and FIG. 9D depict different
views pertaining to the aluminum cap, in accordance with various
embodiments of the present invention;
[0029] FIG. 10A, FIG. 10B, FIG. 10C, and FIG. 10D depict different
views pertaining to motor clamp, in accordance with various
embodiments of the present invention;
[0030] FIG. 11A, FIG. 11B, FIG. 11C, and FIG. 11D depict different
views pertaining to the plastic top shell, in accordance with
various embodiments of the present invention;
[0031] FIG. 12A, FIG. 12B, FIG. 12C, and FIG. 12D depict different
views pertaining to the plastic bottom shell, in accordance with
various embodiments of the present invention;
[0032] FIG. 13A, FIG. 13B, FIG. 13C, and FIG. 13D depict different
views pertaining to motor mount, in accordance with various
embodiments of the present invention;
[0033] FIG. 14A, FIG. 14B, FIG. 14C, and FIG. 14D depict different
views pertaining to the vertical shaft, in accordance with various
embodiments of the present invention;
[0034] FIG. 15A, FIG. 15B, FIG. 15C, and FIG. 15D, depict different
views pertaining to the motor shaft, in accordance with various
embodiments of the present invention; and
[0035] FIG. 16A, FIG. 16B, FIG. 16C, and FIG. 16D depict different
views pertaining to the swing arm, in accordance with various
embodiments of the present invention.
[0036] FIG. 17A, FIG. 17B, and FIG. 17C depict different views of a
straight handle for use with the rotary-oscillating tool, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0037] FIG. 18A and FIG. 18B depict different views of a pistol
grip handle for use with the rotary-oscillating tool, in accordance
with another embodiment of the present invention.
[0038] FIG. 19A and FIG. 19B depict the pistol grip handle with
attachments, in accordance with various embodiments of the present
invention.
[0039] FIG. 19C, FIG. 19D, and FIG. 19E depict the straight handle
with attachments, in accordance with various embodiments of the
present invention.
[0040] FIG. 19F, FIG. 19G, and FIG. 19H depict exploded views of
the attachments as depicted in FIG. 19C, FIG. 19D, and FIG. 19E,
respectively, in accordance with various embodiments of the present
invention.
[0041] FIG. 20A depicts the rotary-oscillating tool powered by a
rotary motor, in accordance with various embodiments of the present
invention.
[0042] FIG. 20B, FIG. 20C, FIG. 20D, and FIG. 20E depict various
views of the rotary-oscillating tool with attachments powered by
the rotary motor, in accordance with various embodiment of the
present invention.
[0043] FIG. 21 depicts a side view of a system for providing a
rotary-oscillating tool or adapter with multi-directional
oscillating capability, in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention;
[0044] FIGS. 22A and 22B depict top views of working elements
attached to a rotary-oscillating tool to which multi-directional
oscillating may be provided, in accordance with an embodiment of
the present invention; and
[0045] FIG. 23 depicts a side view of a system for providing a
rotary-oscillating tool or adapter with multi-directional
oscillating capability, in accordance with another embodiment of
the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0046] While the specification concludes with the claims defining
the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is
believed that the invention will be better understood from a
consideration of the following descriptions in conjunction with the
drawings/figures, in which like reference numerals are carried
forward.
[0047] As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention
are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the
disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which
can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural
and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted
as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a
representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to
variously employ the present invention in virtually any
appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases
used herein are not intended to be limiting but rather to provide
an understandable description of the invention.
[0048] The terms "a" or "an", as used herein, are defined as one or
more than one. The term "another", as used herein, is defined as at
least a second or more. The terms "including" and/or "having" as
used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e. open transition). The
term "coupled" or "operatively coupled" as used herein, is defined
as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not
necessarily mechanically.
[0049] Various embodiments of the present invention may provide a
rotary to oscillatory tool 100 (hereinafter rotary-oscillating tool
100) capable of providing rotary and oscillatory motions during
machining operations. In FIG. 1, an exemplary rotary-oscillating
tool 100 is shown. The rotary-oscillating tool 100 may include a
rotary tool 102 equipped with different components such as an
electric motor, thread stem, rotatable chunk, rotating drive shaft,
and other components. As shown in FIG. 1, examples of these
different components may include a handle 104, a motor facility
108, and the like.
[0050] The rotary-oscillating tool 100 may also include a removable
attachment facility 110 and oscillating working elements 112. The
removable attachment facility 110 may enable a rotary tool 102 to
perform as an oscillating or vibrating tool, depending on the
requirement. For example, the removable attachment facility 110 may
enable the oscillating working elements 112 of a rotating drill to
oscillate or vibrate.
[0051] In an exemplary scenario, a workman may require a drill
machine with blades that may rotate to perform various operations
on a work-piece which may include but may not be limited to
drilling, cutting, shaping, and the like. For example, consider a
rotary tool 102 that may be a drill machine having a drill bit for
drilling holes in various materials. The workman may require a
drill machine that may be easily converted to perform oscillatory
or vibratory motion for operations such as cutting, carving,
sawing, chiseling, filing, sanding, engraving, and the like. This
may be achieved by using the removable attachment facility 110. The
worker may not require any separate vibratory or oscillatory
machine. In fact, the rotary-oscillating tool 100 of the present
invention may provide the rotary as well as the oscillatory motion
to the attached oscillating working elements 112. For example, when
the removable attachment facility 110 is removed, the
rotary-oscillating tool 100 may have the capability to perform
rotary operations on the work-piece. In addition, the
rotary-oscillating tool 100 may perform the oscillatory operations
on the work-piece when the removable attachment facility 110 is
attached.
[0052] In an aspect of the present invention, the removable
attachment facility 110 may enable oscillating movement of the tool
at high speeds. As a non-limiting example, if an independent rotary
tool drive shaft rotates at 35,000 RPM, then the attachment
facility 110 may facilitate 70,000 sideways oscillations per
minute.
[0053] In embodiments, the oscillating removable attachment
facility 110 may be configured with additional attachment elements
to allow various oscillating actions on the work-piece, such as
sawing, sanding, carving, chiseling, filing, engraving, and the
like, with great precision. In embodiments, the removable
attachment facility 110 may provide horizontal oscillations to
oscillating working elements 112 of the rotary-oscillating tool
100. In other embodiments, the removable attachment facility 110
may provide vertical oscillations to the oscillating working
elements 112 of the rotary-oscillating tool 100.
[0054] It may be noted that the removable attachment facility 110
has been explained in conjunction with an exemplary tool. However,
those skilled in the art would appreciate that the removable
attachment facility 110 may be used in conjunction with similar
other tools and devices that may be used for different operations
and purposes. It may also be noted that the rotary-oscillating tool
100 may be equipped with oscillating working elements 112. However,
those skilled in the art may also appreciate that the oscillating
working elements 112 may be of various types such as diamond
blades, band saw, resaw, head saw, chain saw blades, and the like.
For example, the blades may have angular teeth with varying pitches
or indents.
[0055] FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B, FIG. 2C, and FIG. 2D depict the various
structural components associated with an embodiment of the
removable attachment facility 110 that includes an offset cam
bearing facility 230 for converting rotary movement to oscillating
movement.
[0056] FIG. 2A shows a chuck element 204 normally attached to a
rotary tool by a thread mechanism 202. In embodiments, an
adjustable jaw may centre a work piece in a tool such as
positioning a drilling bit at the center of the chuck 204 for
drilling a hole. This chuck 204 may be removed by twisting off
counter-clockwise or opposite of the normal direction of rotation
of the rotary tool drive shaft. In embodiments, the chuck 204 may
be removed by using a small wrench (not shown in the figure). To
facilitate converting rotation of a drive shaft to oscillation,
chuck 204 may be replaced by a vibration attachment chuck 208,
which is explained below.
[0057] As shown in FIG. 2B the removable attachment facility 110
may include an offset cam bearing facility 230 that attaches to the
rotary tool in place of the chuck element 204, and may also include
a vibration attachment chuck 208 with an internally threaded stem
202, which may be associated with a threaded drive shaft of a
rotary tool that would normally hold the chuck element 204. An
offset cam element 212 may include two ends, one of which extends
further in one direction from the central axis of the offset cam
bearing facility 230 than does the other end, and may provide an
offset extent of rotation upon rotation of the vibration attachment
chuck 208 that receives rotation from the drive shaft of a rotary
tool 102. The offset bearing element 212 projects from a side of
the central axis of the offset cam bearing facility 230 and
transits a circle around the center of the drive shaft. The
removable attachment facility 110 may also include a wrench style
portion 210, and an offset post 214. The wrench style portion 210
may be used for tightening the vibration attachment chuck 208. The
offset bearing element 212, optionally a ball bearing, may be
attached to the vibration attachment chuck 208 through the wrench
style portion 210 and may allow vibrations such as very rapid
vibrations. The offset post 214 may be connected to the offset
bearing 212 and may enable a cam like motion to initiate sonic
vibrations. For example, the offset bearing 212 may be disk shaped
and may convert the circular motion of the drive shaft into a
substantially linear motion of the offset post 214.
[0058] The offset post 214 may be positioned offset from the main
axis of the bearing facility 230, such that the post 214 itself
transits a circle about the main axis upon rotation of the drive
shaft. The offset nature of the post 214 through the bearing
element 212 tends to produce a substantially linear oscillating
motion of each of them upon rotation of the rotary tool drive
shaft.
[0059] Various mechanisms may be used to interact with the offset
bearing element 212 or the post 214, or both, in order to produce
oscillating motion of a working element, such as an aftermarket
attachment. In FIG. 2C a rocking element 220, also referred
hereinto as a swing arm is depicted, positioned to interact with
the offset bearing element 212, such that upon rotation of the
offset bearing element 212, the sides of the rocking element 220
are alternatively impacted by the offset bearing element 212,
causing the rocking element 220 to rock, or oscillate. The rocking
element 220 may rock about a pivot point 218 that may be supported
by a stabilizing bearing 224 that limits or cushions the extent of
movement of the rocking element 220. The rocking element 220 may be
contained in a housing.
[0060] In an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 2D it can be seen
that in one embodiment a working attachment facility may be
connected to the offset cam bearing facility 230 by attaching to
the post 214, such as by inserting a rod 221 onto the post 214. In
alternative embodiments, the post 214 might be replaced with a
channel, into which a pin or rod could be inserted. Upon movement
of the offset bearing element 212 upon rotation of the offset cam
bearing facility 230, the rod 221 oscillates sideways, imparting
oscillating motion to a working portion of the attachment facility,
including elements 224 and 228. An attachment element, such as a
bit attachment screw 222 may connect a working element, such as
blade, to the attachment facility 110, in which case upon rotation
of the bearing facility 230, the working element oscillates.
[0061] In embodiments, various types of rocking elements 220 may be
configured with the offset cam 212 to provide vibratory or
oscillatory motion. For example, as shown in FIG. 2C the rocking
element 220 may alter the direction of the power by 90 degrees,
thereby producing vibrations. It may be noted that different
rocking elements 220 may be configured with the removable
attachment facility 110. Referring to FIG. 2D, the rocking element
220 may be coupled with rod 221 that may change the direction of
the power by 90 degrees. The rod 221 may transit the torque to the
bit attachment screw 222 through a plurality of stabilizing
bearings 224. Vibrations generated by change of direction may be
stabilized through a plurality of stabilizing bearings 224. It may
be noted that in addition to the above stated components, the
removable attachment facility 110 may also include other components
which may help in performing operations on the work piece. For
example, the removable attachment facility 110 may also include the
rocking element 220 for the offset cam/ball bearing 212, a post 214
for sonic vibrations, a bit attachment screw 222, stabilizing
bearings 224 for the post 214, and a pin 228 that may oscillate
back and forth for causing vibrations.
[0062] In embodiments, the aftermarket attachments may be made up
of aluminum, steel, iron, zinc, copper, and the like.
[0063] In embodiments, in addition to side to side oscillations,
the oscillating working elements 112 may be configured to move up
and down. For example, the blade may oscillate up and down about
0.0125 inches total (up 0.00625 inches and down 0.00625 inches)
from a neural position. This extra up and down motion may allow the
oscillating working elements 112 to clear the sawdust or other
debris from a work piece and may keep the oscillating working
elements working well. Such an up and down movement may be
facilitated by the removable attachment facility 110 as described
herein, or by providing such motion in a conventional oscillating
tool.
[0064] All of these components may be referred to as aftermarket
installations, as these components may be changed as per the
operational requirements.
[0065] In embodiments, referring to FIG. 3A, FIG. 3B, FIG. 3C, and
FIG. 3D, different views pertaining to the conversion of rotary
tool 102 to rotary-oscillating tool 100 by using the removable
attachment facility 110 may be provided. As shown in FIG. 3A, the
conventional chuck 302 may be removed and the threaded stem 304
along with the universal threaded aftermarket device mounting screw
302 may be exposed.
[0066] In FIG. 3B, the chuck 302 may be replaced in part by the
offset cam bearing facility 230, with an offset bearing element 212
and post 214 as described above in connection with FIGS. 2B, 2C and
2D. The offset cam bearing facility 230 may be screwed onto the
thread of the rotary tool 102. Upon rotation of the shaft of the
rotary tool, the offset bearing element 212 and post 214 transit
the circumference of a circle as the offset cam bearing facility
230 rotates with the rotation of the rotary tool.
[0067] As shown in FIG. 3C, an alternate chuck 310 may be provided,
configured to interoperate with the offset bearing element 212 and
post 214 of the removable attachment facility 110. The alternate
chuck 310 includes the rocking element 220 which rocks from side to
side as the offset bearing element 212 and post 214 transit the
circumference of a circle upon rotation of the rotary tool, the
bearing element 212 and post 214 alternately impacting one side or
the other of the rocking element 220, such that the rocking element
rocks back and forth, or oscillates, in response to the current
location of the offset bearing element 212 and post 214. The
side-to-side rocking of the rocking element 220 thus provides
oscillation back and forth (two oscillations) upon each rotation of
the drive shaft of the rotary tool. The alternate chuck 310 may be
adapted to screw onto the thread 302 used for attaching aftermarket
installations to the rotary tool. Upon so attaching the alternate
chuck 310 to the thread 302, the rocking element 220 is positioned
to interact with the offset cam bearing element 212 and post 214 to
provide the oscillation described above. The alternate chuck 310
may be configured to accept various forms of aftermarket working
elements, including blades, sanding elements, and the like, as
described herein.
[0068] As shown in FIG. 3D, in another embodiment a blade or
working element may be attached to the rotary tool 102, with
oscillation provided as described in connection with FIG. 2D. Thus,
the rotary tool may now operate as an oscillatory tool and it may
be referred to as the rotary-oscillating tool 100. In the above
embodiments, the removable attachment facility 110 may provide
vibratory or the oscillatory motion to the oscillating working
elements 112 or other aftermarket attachments.
[0069] In embodiments, different views of the rotary-oscillating
tool 100 may be shown in FIG. 4A, FIG. 4B, FIG. 4C, FIG. 4D, and
FIG. 4E. FIG. 4A, FIG. 4B, FIG. 4C, FIG. 4D, and FIG. 4E and may be
shown to have blade mountings 402, saw blade attachment 404, blade
screw 408, aluminum casing 410, aluminum cap 412, motor clamp 414,
plastic top shell 418, plastic bottom shell 420, motor attachment
422, vertical shaft 424, motor shaft housing 428, swing arm
attachment 430, and the like. The description and different views
corresponding to each of the above stated components may be
provided below.
[0070] In embodiments, referring to FIG. 5A, FIG. 5B, FIG. 5C, and
FIG. 5D, different views pertaining to blade mounts 402 may be
shown. The blade mounts 402 may secure blades 404 to the removable
attachment facility 110, by using 8 small pins around the blades
404. The blade mount 402 may be positioned to 0, 45, 90, 135, 180,
225, 270, degrees so that every 45 degrees in a full rotation may
allow blades 404 to be mounted upside down.
[0071] In embodiments, referring to FIG. 6A, FIG. 6B, FIG. 6C, and
FIG. 6D, different views pertaining to saw blades 404 may be
provided. The saw blades 404 may be attached to the removable
attachment facility 110 and may rotate back and forth along the
vertical shaft 424 1.5 degrees each side (left and right) to
provide the oscillating cut, sand, removal action, and the
like.
[0072] In embodiments, referring to FIG. 7A, FIG. 7B, FIG. 7C, and
FIG. 7D, different views pertaining to blade screws 408 may be
provided. The blade screws 408 may fasten the blade 404 to blade
mount 402. The blade screws 408 may have a wide head which may
enable it to come close to the 8 small pins holding the blade
position.
[0073] In embodiments, referring to FIG. 8A, FIG. 8B, FIG. 8C, and
FIG. 8D, and FIG. 8E, different views pertaining to an aluminum
casing 410 may be provided. The aluminum casing 410 may stabilize
the vertical shaft 424 by holding/securing the top and bottom ball
bearings 212.
[0074] In embodiments, referring to FIG. 9A, FIG. 9B, FIG. 9C, and
FIG. 9D, different views pertaining to the aluminum cap 412 may be
provided. The aluminum cap 412 may be a part of the aluminum casing
410. This cap 412 may stabilize top vertical shaft ball bearing by
enclosing the top of the aluminum casing 410.
[0075] In embodiments, referring to FIG. 10A, FIG. 10B, FIG. 10C,
and FIG. 10D, different views pertaining to motor clamp 414 may be
provided. The motor clamp 414 may secure the casing to the motor
mount 422. The plastic top and bottom casing may have a slice in
the casing to allow the plastic to contract when the motor clamp
414 is tightened over the plastic casing.
[0076] In embodiments, referring to FIG. 11A, FIG. 11B, FIG. 11C,
and FIG. 11D, different views pertaining to the plastic top shell
418 may be provided. The plastic top shell 418 may be a part of the
plastic casing and may provide torsion strength to casing by
placing seam horizontal with an integrated seam to enclose top and
bottom casing. The plastic top shell 418 may also attach to motor
mount with an octagon joint to position head of the attachment in
most positions firmly without spinning. The plastic casing may have
a radius wall which may inclosing/stabilizing the aluminum casing
410.
[0077] In embodiments, referring to FIG. 12A, FIG. 12B, FIG. 12C,
and FIG. 12D, different views pertaining to the plastic bottom
shell 420 may be provided. The plastic bottom shell 420 may be a
part of the plastic casing and may provide torsion strength to
casing by placing seam horizontal with an integrated seam to
enclose top and bottom casing. The plastic bottom shell 420 may
also attach to motor mount 422 with an octagon joint to position
head of the attachment in most positions firmly without spinning.
The plastic casing may have a radius wall which may
inclosing/stabilizing the aluminum casing 410.
[0078] In embodiments, referring to FIG. 13A, FIG. 13B, FIG. 13C,
and FIG. 13D, different views pertaining to motor mount 422 may be
provided.
[0079] In embodiments, referring to FIG. 14A, FIG. 14B, FIG. 14C,
and FIG. 14D, different views pertaining to the vertical shaft 424
may be provided. The vertical shaft 424 may oscillate 3 degrees,
may hold the rocking element or swing arm 430 and the motor mount
422 may be aligned to each other. A top and bottom ball bearing may
allow the vertical shaft 424 to rotate 1.5 degrees left and 1.5
degrees.
[0080] In embodiments, referring to FIG. 15A, FIG. 15B, FIG. 15C,
and FIG. 15D, different views pertaining to the alternate
embodiments of a vibration attachment chuck 1502 may be provided.
The chuck 1502 may transfer a rotary tool rotational action to the
removable attachment facility 110. The end of the chuck 1502 that
mounts to the rotary tool drive shaft may be threaded.
[0081] In embodiments, referring to FIG. 16A, FIG. 16B, FIG. 16C,
and FIG. 16D, different views pertaining to the swing arm 430 may
be provided. The swing arm 430 may attach to the vertical shaft
424. The swing arm 430 may follow the oscillating motion described
above for the rocking element 220. The swing arm 430 may swing back
and forth 1.5 degrees in each direction.
[0082] In embodiments, referring to FIGS. 17A, 17B, and 17C,
different views of a straight handle 1700 for use with the
rotary-oscillating tool 100 as described above may be provided. As
shown in a side view by FIG. 17A, the handle 1700 may include a
body 1702. The body 1702 of the handle 1700 may be fabricated of
plastic or metal without limitations. The body 1702 may act as a
casing or a housing of the handle 1700. The handle 1700 may further
include a trigger 1704 that may be engaged with a clutch system
(not shown in the fig.) on a shaft of the oscillatory-rotary tool
100 to create a spinning motion at the tip of the handle 1700. The
trigger 1704 may enable opening of airway into the handle 1700 from
a power source such as a pneumatic power source to create spinning
action at the tip of the handle 1700. An operating lock 1708 may be
provided for the trigger 1704 to keep the trigger 1704 engaged in
an on state or position.
[0083] Further, a working element lock 1710 to lock the rotary tool
drive shaft fitted through the handle 1700 may be provided for
securing the oscillating working elements 112. The oscillating
working elements 112 may be of various types such as bits, diamond
blades, band saw, resaw, head saw, chain saw blades, and the
like.
[0084] The handle 1700 may be connected with a power source through
a flex shaft 1712. In exemplary cases, the power source may include
a rotary motor, a compressed air source, and the like without
limitations. A few examples of the rotary motor-based power source
may include without limitations a rotary motor by DREMEL, a rotary
motor by ROTOZIP, a rotary motor by CRASFTSMAN, and the like. In
accordance with various embodiments, motors, bodies, and shafts of
rotary motor-based power sources may be of different sizes and
performance levels. In an embodiment, the handle 1700 may be
connected with the power source through a flex shaft 1712 from a
rotary motor as may be utilized in the rotary motor industry. In an
alternative embodiment, the handle 1700 may be connected with the
power source through an air tube from a compressed air tank as may
be utilized in the pneumatic air tool industry.
[0085] In embodiments, the motors, bodies, and shafts of the rotary
motor-based power sources may be provided with attachments for
enabling connections between various components through various
attachment mechanisms. The attachment mechanisms may include quick
release spring ball, buckle, threads, magnetic impact, and the like
without limitations. In embodiments, the handle 1700 may be
utilized to accommodate the attachments currently meant to be
attached to the rotary motor to accomplish tasks such as conversion
of rotary motion into oscillating motion or the attachments that
may be utilized to guide a rotary motion such as in an ice skate
sharpener, which holds a rotary sanding disk at a substantially 90
degrees to an ice skate blade. In embodiments, the power source may
be a compressed air power source for the pneumatic air tool
industry (as discussed above) that may power the handle 1700. In
accordance with an embodiment, the handle 1700 may include the
removable attachment facility 110 instead of several distinct
cutting tools. The removable attachment facility 110 may support
use of several different attachments such as bits, blades, saw, and
the like that may be attached to the handle 1700 through various
mechanisms and designs such as quick release mechanism, threaded
joints, and the like. The provision of several attachments fitted
on the single handle 1700 may facilitate a less expensive, more
convenient, and time conserving procedure for performing operations
in a shop with the use of the rotary-oscillating tool 100,
including the handle 1700.
[0086] In an embodiment, the attachments may be fitted on the
removable attachment facility 110 in a manner similar to the
procedure of fitting the flex shaft 1712 to the rotary motor. In
another embodiment, for the pneumatic air tool type based power
sources, the attachments may be coupled through fasteners as
described above without limitations. An exemplary fastening
mechanism such as threaded joint 1714 is depicted in FIG. 17A
provided at the end of the rotary tool drive shaft 1718. The end of
the rotary tool drive shaft 1718 is responsible for driving the
attachments such as the bits and the like.
[0087] A threaded tip 1720 may be utilized to be attached at the
end of the rotary tool drive shaft 1718 in combination with a
collate for the purpose of securing a smaller shaft at the end of
the rotary tool drive shaft 1718 for transferring rotary motion
further. A cover 1722 may be provided to hide the attachments
fitted on the threaded joints or any other attachment mechanism or
coupling mode. The cover 1722 coupled at the end of the rotary tool
drive shaft 1718 may be depicted by 1724 in assembled form in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 17B
and 17C may depict top view and the bottom view of the handle 1700,
respectively, along with the attachment mechanism as described
above in conjunction with FIG. 17A. In other embodiments, referring
to FIGS. 18A and 18B, different views of a pistol grip handle 1800
for use with the rotary-oscillating tool 100 may be provided. As
illustrated, the pistol grip handle 1800 may include the handle
body 1702, the trigger 1704, the lock 1708 for the trigger 1704,
the lock 1710 to lock the rotary tool drive shaft, the flex shaft
1712 connecting the power source, the fastening mechanism such as
the threaded joint 1714 for coupling the attachments provided at
the end of the rotary tool drive shaft 1718, the threaded tip 1720,
and the cover 1722 coupled at the end of the rotary tool drive
shaft 1718. These elements have been described in conjunction with
FIGS. 17A, 17B, and 17C in detail. The cover 1722 coupled at the
end of the rotary tool drive shaft 1718 may be depicted by 1724 in
assembled form in accordance with an embodiment of the pistol grip
handle 1800. FIG. 18B may depict rear view of the pistol grip
handle 1800 along with the attachment mechanism as described above
in conjunction with FIG. 18A.
[0088] FIG. 19A may illustrate the pistol grip handle 1800 with a
sanding bit attached to the end of the rotary tool drive shaft 1718
without the cover 1722. FIG. 19B may illustrate the pistol grip
handle 1800 with an attachment coupled to the fastening mechanism
such as the threaded joint 1714. It may be appreciated that the
fastening mechanism may be of any other type such as a buckle
joint, quick release mechanism, magnetic impact based joint, and
the like without limitations. As illustrated, the attachment is a
drill bit holder capable of receiving drill bits of varying sizes
for performing drilling operations actuated by the rotary motion of
the rotary tool drive shaft.
[0089] FIGS. 19C, 19D, and 19E may illustrate exemplary straight
handles such as the straight handle 1700 with various attachments
attached thereto. The attachment may be a saw as illustrated in
FIG. 19C. The attachment may be a drill bit as illustrated in FIG.
19D. The attachment may be a drill bit of a different type as
illustrated in FIG. 19E. FIGS. 19F, 19G, and 19H may illustrate
exploded views of the attachments as depicted in FIGS. 19C, 19D,
and 19E, respectively, prior to being coupled with the
rotary-oscillating tool 100. It may be appreciated by a person
ordinarily skilled in the art that various types of attachments
other than those illustrated here may be utilized without limiting
the spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0090] FIG. 20A may illustrate the rotary-oscillating tool 100
powered by a rotary motor in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention. The rotary motor may be of
various types as illustrated above without limiting the spirit and
scope of the present invention. In accordance with alternative
embodiments, the rotary-oscillating tool handle 1700 may be powered
by a compressed air tank in a pneumatic power source-based
rotary-oscillating tool 100. The attachment method of the rotary
motor may be similar to the attachment method of the handle 1700
while the connection or coupling type may be similar or distinct as
mentioned above.
[0091] FIGS. 20B, 20C, and 20D may illustrate side view, top view,
and the bottom view of the rotary-oscillating tool 100,
respectively, powered by the rotary motor. The rotary motor may be
coupled with the rotary-oscillating tool 100 through the flexshaft
1712 that may form a connection with the rotary motor through a
shaft connector 2002. The attachment attached with the
rotary-oscillating tool 100 may be the saw as depicted in FIG. 20B,
a wood blade as depicted in FIG. 20C, and the like without
limitations.
[0092] FIG. 20E may illustrate side view of the rotary-oscillating
tool 100 powered by the rotary motor with a scissor attachment
2004, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
The scissor attachment 2004 with the rotary motor may facilitate as
an electric scissor capable of cutting rapidly through a variety of
materials. The scissor attachment 2004 may find applications in
cutting, fabrication, machining, or other similar manufacturing
processes without limitations. The scissor attachment 2004 may
convert the rotary-oscillating tool 100 into a scissor type
machining/cutting device that may generate rapid cutting movements
between an upper blade 2008 and a lower blade 2010 by moving the
upper blade 2008 or the lower blade 2010 or both up and down. The
scissor attachment 2004 may be attached to the rotary-oscillating
tool 100 in several ways and through several mechanisms as
described earlier with reference to other attachments.
[0093] The cutting/machining action may be performed by the scissor
attachment 2004 by stabilizing the lower blade 2010 to the
attachment body. Subsequently, the upper blade 2008 may be moved up
and down on engaging itself to the lower blade 2010 with the use of
a pivot point provided on the upper blade 2008 capable of creating
a rotational degree of freedom. The up and down motion may be drawn
from the rotary tool drive shaft that may be provided with an
off-centric or eccentric pin or ball bearing or the like element on
the tip portion of the rotary tool drive shaft. The off-centric
placement may allow hitting of the upper blade 2008 periodically
for up and down movements. Further, the off centric placement of
the pin or ball bearing or the like element on the tip portion of
the rotary tool drive shaft may generate a closing power from the
motor. This may result in the up and down cutting or shearing or
other machining movements between the upper blade 2008 and the
lower blade 2010. Additionally, the upper blade 2008 may contain a
spring type of arrangement for disengaging the upper blade 2008
from the lower blade 2010 that may pull the upper blade 2008 back.
The upper blade 2008 and the lower blade 2010 may be
interchangeable and may be replaced after being worn out. Further,
the scissor attachment 2004 may be removed to be changed with a
different attachment for operating on other jobs or materials to be
machined.
[0094] As described above, the present invention may combine the
handle 1700 or 1800 to the power source such as the compressed air
or the rotary motor through the flexshaft 1712. Therefore, the
invention may allow a user to operate with the rotary-oscillating
tool 100 in both the pneumatic air tool industry and rotary motor
industry without limitations. Further, the invention may facilitate
use of a single handle 1700 or 1800 with multiple attachments to
save money, time and space, and the like. For example, it may
facilitate using the rotary-oscillating tool 100 in an area that is
too small for the full tool 100 (e.g. to fit inside a ski boot).
Further, the user may also control on or off operation from the
handle 1700 or 1800 itself and not from the motor. In addition,
multiple and varying attachments may be utilized to vary the
purpose of the rotary-oscillating tool 100.
[0095] FIG. 21 depicts a side view of a multi-directional
oscillating system 2100 for providing a rotary-oscillating tool or
adapter with multi-directional oscillating capabilities, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The
multi-directional oscillating system 2100 may hereafter be referred
as an oscillating system 2100 merely for the simplicity of the
description without limiting the spirit and scope of the present
invention. The oscillating system 2100 may include a motor shaft
2102 connecting the oscillating system 2100 with a power source
2104, an off-centric ball bearing 2108 mounted on the motor shaft
2102, a vertical shaft 2110, a vertical shaft ball bearing 2112, a
cam 2114, a first element with a tapering surface at one end
referred to as a first ramp 2118 detachably connected with a second
element having a tapering surface at one end referred to as a
second ramp 2120, a linear bearing 2122, a spring 2124, a groove
2128 in the vertical shaft 2110, a blade 2130, and a blade mount
2132. Alternatively, the power source 2104 and motor shaft 2102 may
be provided by an off-the shelf rotary tool and the remainder of
the system elements may be included in a rotary-oscillating tool
adapter housing and other features as depicted in co-owned U.S.
application Ser. No. 12/884,104.
[0096] The oscillating system 2100 as depicted in FIG. 21 may
generate an oscillating motion in a side-to-side manner similar to
the oscillating movements in a FEIN OSCILLATING TOOL (TRADEMARK)
rotary-oscillating tool or a DREMEL MULTIMAX (TRADEMARK)
rotary-oscillating tool, in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention. In another embodiment of the present invention,
the oscillating system 2100 may generate an up-down motion in a
seesaw manner. In yet another embodiment of the present invention,
the oscillating system 2100 may generate a combination of both the
side-to-side and the seesaw types of motions.
[0097] The oscillating system 2100 may be activated by a simple
switch, knob, press button, dial, any electronic switch, and the
like that may result in the flow of power from the power source
2104 to the oscillating system 2100 through the motor shaft 2102,
thereby developing a rotational motion in the motor shaft 2102. In
accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, the
rotational motion of the motor shaft 2102 may drive the vertical
shaft 2110 that may be indirectly coupled with the motor shaft 2102
through the off-centric ball bearing 2108 and the cam 2114. The
off-centric nature of the off-centric ball bearing 2108 may be
responsible for generating a periodic motion that may be reduced to
a desired movement at the vertical shaft 2110 with the help of a
profile of the cam 2114 designed accordingly. Other types of
rotary-oscillating drive mechanisms are described in at least
co-owned U.S. Ser. No. 12/884,104 and are included herein along
with the entire disclosure thereof.
[0098] The reciprocating/oscillatory movement of the vertical shaft
2110 may force a ramp 2118 of the linear bearing 2122 to interact
with a ramp 2120 resulting in the linear bearing 2122 traveling
along a linear path aligned with the shaft 2110. A spring 2124 may
assist in the linear bearing 2122 travel thereby resulting in a
periodic up-down motion of the linear bearing 2122. The spring 2124
may help in stabilizing and providing the linear bearing 2122 a
return to a normal position after being forced by the first ramp
2118 interacting with the second ramp 2120. In accordance with
alternative embodiments, other mechanical linkages capable of
creating a back pushing force to push the linear bearing 2122
upward may be utilized. The linear bearing 2122 may be permanently
coupled with the first ramp 2118 and detachably coupled with the
second ramp 2120. The first ramp 2118 may facilitate up and down
movement when coupled with the second ramp 2120 to allow the linear
bearing 2122 to slide along a linear direction with the use of a
switch or a similar kind of operational interface. The sliding up
and down movement may be ceased by moving the second ramp 2120 out
from a coupled position with ramp 2118 as indicated in FIG. 21. The
ramp 2120 may be moved via a spring loaded actuator that causes the
ramp 2120 to engage ramp 2118 when placed in a first actuator
position and to disengage ramp 2118 when placed in a second
actuator position. Further, the groove 2128 provided in the
vertical shaft 2110 may allow lining up of the linear bearing 2122
to a desired position on the vertical shaft 2110 and for
transferring the oscillating motion of the shaft 2110 to the linear
bearing 2122 with still allowing the sliding movement of the linear
bearing 2122. In alternative embodiments, a cut-off section of any
other type such as a square cut-off section, a rectangular cut-off
section, and the like may be utilized.
[0099] The blade 2130 may be coupled to the sliding linear bearing
2122 through the blade mount 2132 resulting in an oscillation of
the blade 2132 for cutting or machining an item. As depicted, the
blade 2130 may create a gap in the item being worked that is big
enough to sufficiently allow debris and dust out of the machined
portions. This may provide a clear hole or cut for the blade to
efficiently cut the item.
[0100] FIGS. 22A and 22B depict top views of the multi-directional
oscillating system 2100, in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention. The arrow 2202 indicates the sidewise direction
of the movement of the blade 2132 for machining materials.
[0101] FIG. 23 depicts a side view of an alternate embodiment of an
oscillating system 2300, in accordance with another embodiment of
the present invention. In accordance with this embodiment, the
oscillating system 2300 may include a motor shaft 2102 connecting
the oscillating system 2100 with a power source 2104, an
off-centric ball bearing 2108 mounted on the motor shaft 2102, a
vertical shaft 2110, a vertical shaft ball bearing 2112, a cam
2114, a pivot 2302 supporting a pivoted linkage 2304, a blade 2130,
and a blade mount 2132. The vertical shaft 2110 may be driven in a
manner similar to the procedure described in conjunction with the
embodiment of the oscillating system 2100 in FIG. 21. Subsequently,
the vertical shaft 2110 powers the pivoted linkage 2304 through the
pivot 2302. The pivoted linkage 2302 may produce an up and down
seesaw type of motion about the pivot point 2304. In accordance
with various embodiments of the present invention, the pivot 2304
may be located on the vertical shaft 2110 such that its placement
on the vertical shaft 2110 may define the nature of the oscillating
movement at the tip of the blade 2130. This may allow movement of
the whole blade 2130 or a portion of the blade 2130 in an
oscillating manner.
[0102] Various other modes and mechanisms of transferring motion
from the power source 2104 to the blade 2130 other than those
described in the two embodiments here may be utilized to facilitate
multi-directional oscillation. For example, gear arrangements,
piston arrangements, cam-follower-based linkages, oscillating
plates, crank-slider linkages, or a combination of several rigid
links connected with joints or pivots, and the like may be utilized
for generating the oscillating motion without limiting the spirit
and scope of the present invention. The present invention may be
utilized in machining and/or cutting surfaces of the materials such
as wood, metals, fabrics, stones, and the like without
limitations.
[0103] The present invention may provide several advantages such as
those listed below.
[0104] An advantage of the present invention is to provide a multi
directional oscillating system that may be utilized to perform
machining through movements in multiple directions such as sidewise
manner, up and down manner, and the like.
[0105] Another advantage of the present invention is to increase
speed of the machining process, especially on hard materials. The
up and down motion combined with the normal side-to-side motion of
the blade may cut into the materials with a bigger slice formed at
the region being machined by the blade.
[0106] Still another advantage of the present invention is that the
multi directional oscillating motion of the blade may create more
room for the machined dust and debris to escape from the region
being machined, thereby preventing clogging of the blade teeth or
tip. This may consequently enhance speed of machining and
simultaneously increase the rate of cooling of the blade.
[0107] Yet another advantage of the present invention is that the
multi directional oscillating system may be easily combined with
the existing rotary-oscillating and/or rotary tools such as the
those mentioned herein and elsewhere, and the like, thereby
reducing the extra costs for development and manufacturing.
Further, the multi directional oscillating system as disclosed by
the present invention may be utilized in the compressed air
tool-based industry as well as rotary motor-based industry as
embodied in an attachment to the rotary tool or the compressed air
tool or through a handle to create a unique and customized
oscillating motion in multiple directions. Embodiments of
rotary-oscillating handles and adapters that may utilize the
multi-directional oscillating capabilities described herein are
further described at least in U.S. Ser. No. 12/884,104.
[0108] The present invention may find application in several fields
and may provide several other advantages without limiting the
spirit and scope of the present invention. All documents mentioned
herein are hereby incorporated in their entirety by reference.
[0109] While the invention has been disclosed in connection with
the preferred embodiments shown and described in detail, various
modifications and improvements thereon will become readily apparent
to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the spirit and scope of
the present invention is not to be limited by the foregoing
examples, but is to be understood in the broadest sense allowable
by law.
[0110] All documents referenced herein are hereby incorporated by
reference.
* * * * *